Allergology

Diets, vaccines, pollution and global warming are the leading factors causing the number of people with allergies to increase every year. This health issue is of such magnitude that within 30 years’ time it will affect half of the world’s population.

Our immediate environment has altered our immune system to the extent that it reacts to substances such as dust mites, pollen or certain foods when it did not do so in the past. Hence the importance of seeing a professional allergist, who will be best suited to diagnose any allergies a particular person may have.

Aside from conducting allergy tests, our team of allergists in Marbella study and treat:

  • Bronchial asthma
  • Rhinitis (hay fever) and conjunctivitis (red eyes)
  • Urticaria (hives)
  • Angioedema (swelling)
  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
  • Contact dermatitis (rash)

Allergy skin test

Skin Prick Test. This is the most widely used and its results are immediate. It is able to reproduce type I hypersensitivity allergic reactions. Skin prick tests are performed by puncturing the skin and pouring an extract of different allergens in order to find out which substances can trigger allergic reactions (e.g. pollen, mites, animal epithelia, fungi, insect venoms, etc.).

Allergy tests for immediate hypersensitivity are available (prick tests and intradermal tests).

Food and medication intolerance test (low-risk)

Food and medication intolerance test (low-risk). Under medical supervision, small doses of specific foodstuffs and medications are administered to the patient. Depending on the substance, minor negative reactions may appear anywhere between 30 minutes and several hours later.

Intradermal test

Intradermal test. Two variants are used: rapid types I and II, and delayed types IV.

Other allergy tests

  • Patch test

Applicable for type IV hypersensitivity reactions. Several patches are stuck onto the patient’s back to test for allergies to metals, preservatives, dyes, rubber, etc… Results are delayed (48-72 hours).

  • Spirometry test

A non-invasive test for lung function. A patient breathes via a tube in their mouth and the forced airflow is measured.

Symptoms

The most common signs that a person may be suffering from some kind of allergic reaction are:

  • rhinitis (hay fever)
  • itching and rashes
  • bronchial asthma
  • atopic dermatitis (eczema)
  • reactions to foodstuffs

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